NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Riverdragons Stife Roanoke Comback

January 9, 2004 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


The Columbus Riverdragons watched a 27-point third quarter lead shrivel away, then bounced back to post a 91-84 victory over the Roanoke Dazzle Friday night at the Columbus Civic Center. Kevin Lyde led the 4-13 Riverdragons with his second double-double of the season, posting 22 points and 10 rebounds. Zimmerman notched his first double-double, posting 15 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, one short of the league’s first triple-double of the season. Josh Asselin led the charge for the 8-6 Dazzle, pouring in 23 points and pulling down 7 boards. Terence Shannon fared well against Terence Morris, putting up 18 points to Morris’ 13.

The 8-5 Dazzle seemed to overlook the motivated Dragons in the early going. Seven of the eight players on the Columbus roster put points on the board in the first period, aiding them to a 30-19 lead at the end of the quarter. Morris posted nine points on 4-4 shooting in just six minutes off the bench and Columbus finished the period 13-21 (62%) from the field to grab the early eleven-point advantage. Roanoke’s only major offensive contribution came from Josh Asselin who scored a game-high 10 first quarter points for the Dazzle.

After controlling the contest offensively in the first quarter, the Dragons came out with yet more offensive firepower and defensive haste. Lyde led the offensive attack of the Dragons, scoring 6 points for his team’s effort in the period. Up eleven at 44-33 with 2:44 remaining in the half, Columbus put together an 8-0 run to end the half. Erron Maxey’s four free throws, Lyde’s jump hook, and Tai Crutchfield’s two free throws elevated the Dragons to a 19-point halftime lead at 52-33.

In the third quarter, the Dazzle began to mount a comeback after being down 27 points (63-36) early in the period, the largest lead of the game by either team.. With 8:47 left in the quarter, Tai Crutchfield hit a clutch three point shot to put the Dragons up 63-36. But, following the Crutchfield jumper, Roanoke started a 24-10 run to end the quarter with key shots hit by Mike King and Asselin. At the end of the period, the Dazzle had cut the Columbus lead to 13 points at 73-60.

The Roanoke run did not end there. Asselin and Shannon combined for 15 points in a 22-9 run over the the first 8:32 of the fourth quarter to tie it up at 82 apiece with 3:28 left. Shannon knotted it again at 84-84 on a five-foot jumper with 2:43 remaining, but the Dazzle would not score again. Maxey hit one of two free throws with 2:32 to go to break the tie and Courtney James knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:57 left to up the Dragons lead back to three points at 87-84. A Lyde swat of a Shannon shot with 1:14 left and four throws combined for Crutchfield and Derrick Bird put it out of reach.

The Riverdragons and Dazzle return to action in a return matchup this Tuesday, January 13 at the Roanoke Civic Center at 7 p.m.. For more information visit www.nbdl.com.

• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...

NBA G League Stories from January 9, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central